That’s exactly why Magical Treasures of the Daoist Sect are passed down generation after generation—the older they are, the more precious they become.

Zhang Fan’s Mighty Spirit Demon-Suppressing Gold Seal is already a Huang Yu Treasure, so of course he can’t just give it up. If he fixes it up, maybe one day it’ll ascend to a Cyan Feather Treasure, passed down for generations, and who knows, perhaps destined to become a Purple Feather Treasure.

"Where’s Er Gou?" Qi Dongqiang suddenly asked.

"He went to handle the entry procedure with Meng Qiwu." Zhang Fan responded casually.

Truth be told, the biggest harvest from this trip was actually Qin Ergou.

This kid’s luck is off the charts, his Life Chart is one of a kind—not only did he master Fishing Toad Qi, inherit the Northern Emperor’s Great Banner, devour the Dragon Vein Essence Qi of Toad Treasure Mountain, he even entered Tai Sui Village and became the new Xu Dog.

Now, with Meng Qiwu’s recommendation, he’s joined Zhongnan Mountain, becoming the disciple of one of the Ten Great Taoist Sects—future’s looking pretty damn bright.

"What’s going on between you and Meng Qiwu?"

Not mentioning it is fine, but the moment Zhang Fan brought up Meng Qiwu, suspicion flashed across Qi Delong’s face.

"Yeah, why does she act like she’s been possessed or something?" Qi Dongqiang couldn’t help chiming in.

Last night at Toad Treasure Mountain, Zhang Fan was slaughtering left and right—Zhongnan Mountain’s Ma De and Ao Ye were both killed by him, even Gu Chuan’Yin, one of the top dogs, got seriously injured and was eventually whisked away by Meng Qiwu.

No exaggeration, in front of the Pyramid of Corpses last night, Meng Qiwu almost got caught by Zhang Fan.

The beef between them was practically set in stone, but after just a single night, suddenly they’re close like teammates. Meng Qiwu personally arranged their stay at the Welcome Building, now she’s handling Qin Ergou’s entry into Zhongnan Mountain.

"What did you do to her?" Qi Delong eyed Zhang Fan up and down, suspicion obvious.

"Didn’t do anything." Zhang Fan spread his hands.

"You didn’t do to her what Zhao Jie Xuan did to us back then, did you?" Qi Delong hesitated, clenched his teeth, and asked.

"Huh!?"

Noticing Qi Delong’s subtle expression, Zhang Fan raised his brows in curiosity.

"What did he do to you guys?"

Zhang Fan had always been curious about how Zhao Jie Xuan managed to reel in Qi Delong and Qi Dongqiang, these Laojun Mountain heirs. Now that Qi Delong himself brought it up, of course Zhang Fan couldn’t pass up this chance.

"No... nothing."

"Bro, don’t tell him."

"Shut up!"

Qi Delong’s face kept shifting, his gaze darting around, finally landing somewhere else.

"Come on, Old Qi... we’re all on the same side. What did he do to you?" Zhang Fan’s curiosity flared, and he hopped off a big boulder, chasing after Qi Delong with his questions.

"Master Chang should be back, I’ll go greet him."

Qi Delong turned and walked away.

Chang Weiyang is Celestial Master of Laojun Mountain. Arriving at Zhongnan Mountain, he’d already been welcomed up. By now he was probably talking with the Zhongnan Mountain Sect Leader.

"Hey, Old Qi, wait up! Let’s chat..."

Zhang Fan darted after him, hooking his arm around Qi Delong’s neck, lowered his voice and said, "We’re all brothers here. Come on, just tell me."

"If you don’t tell me now, sooner or later—when I manage Divine Fusion—I’ll find out anyway."

"Tell you when you reach Divine Fusion then."

Qi Delong gritted his teeth and went silent.

"Zhang Fan..."

Just then, a melodic voice rang out from the distance, cutting off Zhang Fan’s interrogation. He looked up and saw Meng Qiwu walking over.

She was dressed casual today, with sneakers on her feet, her body even more alluring, and somehow her face looked prettier than before.

"She even put on makeup."

"Obviously! What girl doesn’t wanna look good?" Qi Delong shot him a sideways glance.

"One stray thought, and there goes your chance at Pure Yang." Zhang Fan smacked his lips.

"Listen to you pretending. Like you could even comprehend Pure Yang." Qi Dongqiang couldn’t help retorting.

"..."

"Qi Brothers, your Celestial Master Chang from Laojun Mountain wants you two."

Meng Qiwu walked up, giving Qi Delong and Qi Dongqiang a glance.

"Meeting up top done? Any results?"

Qi Dongqiang couldn’t help asking.

What he cared most about was the origin of that Vacuum Refining Form cultivator—after all, it’s one of the Nine Great Inner Elixir Methods. Mastering it, you could go head-to-head with the Three Great Celestial Masters, totally scandalous.

"How would I know?" Meng Qiwu replied blandly.

Someone at Chang Weiyang’s level, anyone able to meet him would be Zhongnan Mountain’s high-ranking elders.

Even Meng Qiwu didn’t have the qualifications to attend, so naturally she didn’t know anything about what was discussed among the top brass or the outcome.

"You guys can ask your own Celestial Master Chang from Laojun Mountain."

"Alright, I’ll head over."

Qi Delong nodded, gave Zhang Fan a quick farewell, and left.

"How’s Ergou doing?"

Watching Qi Delong’s departing figure, Zhang Fan slowly pulled his gaze back and looked at Meng Qiwu.

"He’s already taken care of. He’s just joined the sect, so he’ll be busy these couple of days..."

"But when you leave Zhongnan Mountain, I’ll arrange for you to meet him."

Meng Qiwu’s arrangements were pretty thoughtful.

"Senior Sister Meng, you’re really considerate."

Zhang Fan grinned, suddenly getting all polite—totally unlike last night when he threatened her with such swagger and forcefulness.

"Should we add each other on SuperChat? Makes it easier to stay in touch. Ergou is pretty much entrusted to you now..."

"If anything happens to him, I’m exposing you."

"..."

"Can you not keep threatening me?" Meng Qiwu gritted her silver teeth, a shy and annoyed blush creeping onto her delicate face.

"Do I look like that kind of person?"

"It’s just a friendly reminder."

Saying so, Zhang Fan whipped out his phone and flashed his QR code.

Meng Qiwu’s expression cycled through a few changes, but eventually she begrudgingly added him as a friend.

"Don’t go saying weird stuff on SuperChat," Meng Qiwu reminded.

"I know... I had this buddy, whenever he played—or drank tea, he’d never talk specifics on SuperChat. Always used code words, otherwise he’d get flagged."

Zhang Fan thought of one of his friends.

"Let’s go." Meng Qiwu suddenly said.

"Go where?" Zhang Fan paused, puzzled.

"Someone wants to see you."

"See me!?" Zhang Fan was stunned.

He didn’t have any connections in Zhongnan Mountain. Aside from Qin Ergou, there was only Meng Qiwu.

"Who wants to see me?"

"Celestial Master Ye!" Meng Qiwu looked at Zhang Fan with a meaningful gaze, and uttered a name.

"Ye Beichen!?"

Zhang Fan’s chest tightened: "Why does he want to see me? I don’t even know him."

"Maybe Celestial Master Ye knows you." Meng Qiwu said blandly, "When you meet Celestial Master Ye in a bit, don’t go mouthing off."

Zhang Fan said nothing, suddenly feeling uneasy. There was no way to bolt now—even if he wanted to run, it’s impossible under the nose of a Celestial Master in Zhongnan Mountain territory.

This kind of difficulty is basically like asking Qin Ergou to chop up Chu Chaoran with a kitchen knife.

"Let’s go."

Zhang Fan took a long breath, and followed Meng Qiwu out of the Welcome Building.

...

Zhongnan Mountain, Louguan Platform.

This is one of the most famous scenic spots of Zhongnan Mountain, but the rear mountain is never open to tourists.

"You go on. The back mountain is where Celestial Master Ye cultivates in seclusion—unless you’re permitted, ordinary people aren’t allowed in." Meng Qiwu looked at Zhang Fan teasingly, "You’re really something."

"I’m off then."

Zhang Fan took a deep breath, suddenly got this vibe like he was heading off to die heroically.

He stepped forward, heading right for the depths of the rear mountain.

The mountain breeze stirred the clouds, and underneath the ancient pines sat the Celestial Master.

Ye Beichen sat cross-legged beneath a centuries-old pine. His long hair flowed; compared to last night, he seemed much more like an ordinary man now, his aura completely hidden, utterly calm and peaceful.

Still, Zhang Fan didn’t dare to act rash. He stopped twenty paces away, and, according to junior etiquette, bowed to Ye Beichen.

"Junior Zhang Fan from Zhenwu Mountain, pays respects to Celestial Master Ye."

Zhang Fan deliberately emphasized those five words—Zhenwu Mountain disciple.

Right then, Ye Beichen slowly opened his eyes, as if returning to this world. His bright gaze poured down on Zhang Fan like moonlight.

"Your mom never got to join Zhenwu Mountain back then, and now you’ve made up for her regret."

That line hit Zhang Fan like a jolt of lightning, his scalp tingling.

"You know my mom, Senior?" Zhang Fan feigned ignorance and asked.

"Extraordinary to Saint... Extraordinary to Saint..."

"When your mom gave birth to you, I was right there."

"Uh!?" Zhang Fan froze at those words, his expression becoming exceptionally weird.